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Benjamin Netanyahu visits Ottawa

By Michael Regenstreif Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel was in Ottawa, Friday to Sunday, March 2 to 4, holding Friday talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Parliament Hill and giving a closed door private briefing to Canadian Jewish community leaders at the Rideau Club on Sunday morning, before departing for Washington for meetings with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House and a major address to the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference (see related story on page 16).

The situation in the Middle East – including the deteriorating situation in Syria, and, particularly, the situation with Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons – was at the top of the agenda when the two prime ministers met in Harper’s office and when they held a joint, albeit brief, press conference following their initial talks.

Noting “the natural affinity and kinship” between Canada and Israel and co-operation in the areas of trade and technology, Netanyahu quickly zeroed in on the situation with Iran in his remarks to the press.

(Continued on page 2)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signs the House of Commons guest book, March 2, as (from left) House Speaker Andrew Scheer, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Senate Speaker Noël A. Kinsella look on.

(Photo: Michael Regenstreif)

Hannah Moscovitch’s East of Berlin set to open at GCTC

By Michael Regenstreif Growing up in South America, Rudi thought his German doctor father had been an army medic in the Second World War. As a young man, he discovered the truth. His father was one of the notorious Nazi death camp doctors who performed evil experiments on human beings and sent countless others to the gas chambers in the Holocaust.

Trying to understand the legacy he was born to, Rudi flees his parents’ home in Paraguay to study medicine in Germany. There, he meets and falls in love with Sarah,

a young Jewish American woman, whose mother survived the Holocaust and married an American soldier after the liberation.

The internal conflicts felt by Rudi form the basis for East of Berlin, a play by Hannah Moscovitch, which opens March 21 at the Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC).

This production will mark the play’s debut in Ottawa, Moscovitch’s hometown, after three highly acclaimed, sold-out runs in Toronto, as well as successful productions in Vancouver and Chicago.

East of Berlin marks a return to GCTC for Moscovitch, who is now one of Canada’s most indemand playwrights. Her play, The Children’s Republic, about Janusz Korczak, the Jewish pediatrician who ran a renowned orphanage in Poland and died at Treblinka with the young Jewish children he cared for, ran there in 2009.

In a telephone interview with the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin from her Toronto home, Moscovitch, 33, explained the idea for East of Berlin began to develop during the four months she spent on an Israeli kibbutz at age 18.

It was not unusual, Moscovitch explained, for the children and grandchildren of Second World War-era Germans and Holocaust survivors to meet on Israeli kibbutzim.

“There was a man named Rudi on the kibbutz who was the grandson of an SS officer. He was having a romance with the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors,” she said. “There were a lot of romances.”

Moscovitch actually began to work on the play years later after reading the books Born Guilty: (Continued on page 2 )

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Page 2 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Stephen Harper of Canada look to each other during their Parliament Hill press conference, March 2.

(Photo: Michael Regenstreif)

Ambassador Miriam Ziv looks on as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to a gathering of Canadian Jewish community leaders, March 4, at the Rideau Club.

(Photo: Peter Waiser)

Netanyahu: ‘All options should be left on the table’ (Continued from page 1)

“The most troubling development in a sea of troubles,” Netanyahu said, “is the relentless Iranian pursuit of arming themselves with nuclear weapons.

A nuclear Iran, he said, “must be prevented.”

Noting that Iran was feeling the pressure of economic sanctions, Netanyahu warned against complacency, should Iran agree to talks about their nuclear program.

Iran “could exploit the talks, as they’ve done in the past, to deceive and to delay, as they continue to advance their nuclear program and get to the nuclear finish line by running out the clock,” said Netanyahu. “The international community should not fall into this trap.”

The Israeli leader said he would be satisfied by nothing short of a complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program.

In his remarks, Harper said this is a challenging time in the Middle East.

Canada, he said, is working “to bring pressure to bear on the Assad regime in Syria, to stop killing its own people and to step down immediately” and “to pressure the Iranian regime to abandon its nuclear weapons program.”

Asked whether Canada would support a unilateral strike against Iran and its nuclear program,

Harper said Canada recognizes the right of Israel to defend itself as a sovereign and Jewish state.

“That said,” continued Harper in terms that would be echoed two days later by U.S. President Barack Obama in his speech to the AIPAC conference, “we want to see a peaceful resolution of this issue and we want to see every action taken to get a peaceful resolution of this situation.”

In response, Netanyahu said

the amount of time Israel could wait for a resolution was getting short.

Citing a litany of international crimes currently being committed by non-nuclear Iran – from supporting terrorism to hanging gays and sending their own children into minefields – Netanyahu reiterated that a nuclear armed Iran was a danger to the whole world and that “all options should be left on the table.”

Play is powerful, challenging and occasionally funny (Continued from page 1)

The Children of Nazi Families by Peter Sichrovsky and Legacy of Silence: Encounters with Children of the Third Reich by Dan Bar-On. Being a young Jewish woman, one might have expected Moscovitch to have told this story – set in 1970 and told mainly through Rudi’s memories – through

the eyes of Sarah. But, as she mentions in a script notation, “When I wrote the script, I sought to create the possibility for a tense relationship between Rudi and the audience. I envisioned this relationship as the most important of the play.”

Indeed, that tension runs through the play as Rudi talks directly to the audi-

ence and interacts with the two other characters: Sarah and Hermann, a childhood friend, also the son of a Nazi, who grew up in South America.

Now living in Toronto, Moscovitch said the theatre scene there is marked both by “deep conservatism and extreme experimentation.

East of Berlin, she said,

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“seems to have found the right level, falling somewhere in the middle of that range.”

Indeed, the play is powerful, challenging, and occasionally funny.

There are also moments, such as a homosexual encounter between Rudi and Hermann, that may make some uncomfortable.

It is a play that has evoked strong reactions.

Moscovitch said she was told that, during a talkback following a Toronto performance attended by a group from the Goethe Institut, a child of a Nazi asked for forgiveness.

These days, Moscovitch is a busy playwright juggling commissions from the

Stratford Festival, the Manhattan Theatre Club, the Banff Centre and, from Ottawa, the National Arts Centre. She is also collaborating with fellow playwright Rosa Laborde on a screenplay of Alison Pick’s novel, Far to Go, winner of the 2011 Jewish Book Award for fiction.

East of Berlin by Hannah Moscovitch, directed by Joël Beddows, runs from March 21 to April 8 at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, 1233 Wellington Street West.

Visit gctc.ca or call the box office at 613-236-5196 for performance times and tickets or further information.

March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 3

Page 4 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

Pamela Wallin speaks on success at networking event

By Josh Zeliger Senator Pamela Wallin spoke candidly about her highs and public lows to an audience of both young and seasoned professionals at Success, a jnet networking event held February 28 at Congregation Beth Shalom.

From being fired from the CBC to her public bout with colon cancer, the former journalist and diplomat spoke about the keys to her success and how she has responded to adversity.

Wallin said she always turns to her family and friends for advice during tough times.

“In the words of actor Alan Alda, ‘Listening is the ability to be changed,’” she said.

“If we just give people a chance to say what is on their mind, and if you can hear them, then the connections are very powerful.”

Wallin said she received a call from a friend shortly after being dismissed from the CBC in 1995. He suggested she start her own

Senator Pamela Wallin is interviewed by Laurence Wall at Success, a jnet networking event, February 28 at Beth Shalom.

media company, and that year she did.

Wallin produced Pamela Wallin Live, an hour-long interview show in the mould of CNN’s Larry King Live and sold the show to the CBC. It aired on CBC Newsworld for four years.

In 1999, she moved the

series to CTV, where it remained until 2002.

That year, she was appointed Canada’s consul general in New York City by prime minister Jean Chrétien.

Her remarks about success resonated with the audience of about 175, no doubt in part to her exten-

sive achievements, including being an officer of the Order of Canada, being named to the Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Fame and having a street in her hometown of Wadena, Saskatchewan named in her honour.

She also published a book about the topic in 2001 entitled Speaking with Success.

Her address was a mélange of personal experience and incites garnered from interview subjects over a 27-year career in journalism, such as Henry Kissinger, George Carlin and Al Purdy.

She said success involves knowing one’s lim-

its, taking risks when the opportunity arrives, staying interested in the things you love, and having a strong character and a healthy dose of serendipity.

After her address, Wallin was interviewed on stage by CBC Radio news anchor Laurence Wall, the master of ceremonies.

Mitch Gauzas, the organizer of the event and a representative of jnet, said Wallin is a talented public speaker.

“I appreciated that she spoke from the heart. It was inspiring,” said Gauzas.

Gauzas also said her topic was engaging for the emerging generation and was in

keeping with jnet’s mission to create a network of young professionals.

The evening also marked the launch of two new programs for the three-year-old organization.

The first is a mentorship program designed to connect experts with grad students and young professionals.

Mentors offer guidance, resumé advice and career opportunities to their younger peers.

Gauzas said Success was the perfect event to launch the mentorship program because jnet is looking to recruit more mentors and this was the first event that attracted an older demographic of professionals.

People interested in becoming a mentor can contact jnet at info@jnetottawa.com.

Jnet also announced the release of a new magazine, jnetconnect.

The publication is designed to reach out to newto-Ottawa young Jewish professionals by describing each area of the city, listing places kosher food is sold, good restaurants, places to shop and the contact information for Jewish organizations.

The organization also plans to hold small social gatherings to help new members of the community transition and feel comfortable.

“We’re encouraging the community to refer newcomers,” said Gauzas.

March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 5

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Page 6 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

Next group of student leaders will accomplish much for Hillel Ottawa and the Israel Awareness Committee Hillel Ottawa and the Israel Awareness Committee students have worked hard this year to build the kind of campus we can all be proud of. We have engaged our peers, both Jewish and non-Jewish, on a personal level to come together on important campus issues.

To have a lasting and positive impact on our campuses, experienced Jewish students have been mentoring junior students, encouraging them to become more engaged, teaching them the ropes, communicating their previous successes and failures, and building their confidence to lead. This cycle must be repeated l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation) as we are always thinking, “Who will do this next year?”

This year, two very successful weekly programs were created to attract new students and to build regular Jewish spaces.

Every Thursday we host a Hot Lunch at the Hillel House where students come for a kosher meal and a chance to discuss important issues.

Twice weekly, we host Brews and Jews on campus. At 1848, the University of Ottawa’s campus pub, Morgan Weintraub, a

Federation Report Alexandra Izso Hillel Ottawa second year student from Toronto, greets students on Tuesdays. Josh Hoffman, a third year student from Ottawa, greets students on Thursdays at Oliver’s, Carleton University’s pub.

These Jewish forums are where we meet new Jewish students and welcome them to our community. Please tell a student about these awesome opportunities.

The Israel Awareness Committee student leadership hosted the third annual Israeli Wine meets Canadian Cheese event on February 8 with Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, Liberal MP and former justice minister Irwin Cotler, and New Democratic Party MP Pat Martin, an event to promote dialogue on campus and build relationship with other campus

Hillel Ottawa and the Israel Awareness Committee students have worked hard this year to build the kind of campus we can all be proud of. clubs. Events like this, organized completely by students, build the confidence of our new leaders.

We partnered with the Religious Studies Student Association at the University of Ottawa for an event about the religious inspiration to environment conservation and brought in Noam Dolgin, a Jewish environmental educator, to guide a conversation around the topic of Can Religion Save the Environment? The JNF helped us host a Shabbat dinner.

To raise money for Save A Child’s Heart, Ryan Adelson, a second year University of Ottawa student from Montreal, organized a club night, which raised more than $750 for the cause. This event is focused on the amazing work Save A Child’s Heart does sending Israeli doctors to perform heart surgery for children in Third World countries.

Events like these are outlets for causes students care about.

I look forward to the upcoming year as I move on from my time as Hillel Ottawa’s city-wide president to make room for new leadership. The students with whom I have had the opportunity to work on the Hillel executive these past years are some of my closest friends. They work incredibly hard.

We have built upon what was there before us and we charge the next cohort of student leaders to build upon what we have done. The community should expect great things from our incoming leadership as I know they have the potential to accomplish so much in their short time.

For updated information about upcoming events visit our website at hillelottawa.ca.

Jewish pride: What we represent and what we have to offer to the world The purpose of the miracles in Egypt, the 10 plagues and splitting of the Red Sea was not only to give the Jewish people their freedom. God could have achieved that goal through other methods. The Torah says the reason for the miracles was: “And Egypt shall know I am God (Exodus 7:5)”; “That you Pharaoh shall know that there is none like God (Exodus 8:6)”; “That you shall know that I am God in the midst of the land (Exodus 8:18).”

The plagues were to teach Pharaoh and the Egyptians that God is in total control.

One is left to wonder why such a great effort was being expended on the Egyptians and Pharaoh, who were not particularly interested in the lesson. Why does God speak of teaching Egypt so much more than He mentions the Jewish people?

An Eastern European Jewish writer, who had abandoned mitzvah observance, once came to a prominent rabbi and said, “Rabbi, it’s the 19th century! Humanity has made so much progress. We have come so far since the old days at Mount Sinai; we don’t need all the laws of the Torah anymore.”

The rabbi replied, “You remind me of a story, about the inhabitants of the village of Chelm. The good people of Chelm wished to expand their village, but they were blocked by a mountain which stood just outside the city limits.

“The villagers assembled for a brainstorming session and the mayor of the town came up with a plan: If all the villagers

From the pulpit Rabbi Ari Galandauer Young Israel worked together, their combined strength could push the mountain away and open up the space for expansion. The ingenious suggestion was unanimously approved and early the next morning several hundred able-bodied Chelmites marched to the mountain and began to push.

“It was a warm spring day and all the men removed their jackets and placed them in a large pile behind them. An hour later, a gang of thieves passed by, stole the jackets and ran off. When it was time for the workers to go home, they wondered if they had been successful. The mayor said, ‘Good people see how far we’ve come! We have made such progress that we cannot even see the pile of our jackets!’”

The Rabbi concluded: “My friend, the same holds true for you. Mount Sinai stands eternal, it can’t be pushed away. But the ‘clothing’ of Judaism, the sense of dignity, of style, of pride in mitzvot, of honour to be one of God’s people, you have let all the beautiful ‘clothes’ be stolen from you.

And now that it’s missing, you think you have made progress!”

One of the biggest roadblocks on the

path of the 21st century Jew is not that he lacks faith or interest. It’s that he lacks a sense of pride. Pride in belonging to the people of the Torah, pride in belonging to the people who gave the world the moral foundation upon which it stands.

The same problem existed for the Jewish people in Egypt. What pride was there in being a Hebrew slave? Therefore, God’s method of instruction was that he will make the Egyptians know that he is the one and only God, and, that way, the Jewish

people will understand and appreciate what it means to be a servant of God. Passover is a time to remember that, when our nation was born, even Egypt recognized there was something special about being a part of God’s nation. And God arranged all this so that we should internalize how special we are, with a great responsibility to carry out. The first step, however, is to recover our “lost clothing,” who we are, what we represent and what we have to offer to the world.

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March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 7

Covering the Israeli prime minister’s visit to Ottawa It was quite the interesting experience covering the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Ottawa from March 2 to 4.

Actually, the only day I was really able to do some coverage was March 2, a Friday, when Netanyahu was on Parliament Hill for talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Saturday, Shabbat, was a private day and the press, including the Jewish press, was barred from Netanyahu’s briefing with leaders of Canada’s Jewish community organized by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) at the Rideau Club. More on that later.

Security on Parliament Hill was the tightest I’ve ever seen it when I arrived on Friday morning. The general public was not being allowed on to the Hill that morning. You had to have a pass just to get on to the Hill.

Partway up was another checkpoint where my pass was checked again. From there, a Mountie escorted me up to the Centre Block and another Mountie took me to the East Block entrance where they were screening all visitors that morning. He told me it was the tightest security he’d seen on Parliament Hill

Editor Michael Regenstreif since U.S. President Back Obama’s visit three years ago.

I went through the security screening at the entrance to the East Block and was escorted to my destination, the Confederation Hall Rotunda in Centre Block where Netanyahu would sign the House of Commons and Senate guest books about an hour later.

At the Rotunda, I was greeted by Terry Guillon, chief of the Press Gallery, who gave me the option of either being outside for Netanyahu’s arrival on the Hill or inside to witness and photograph him signing the guest books. I opted for the latter.

Guillon also showed me the room where the press conference would be and told me that only two questions would be allowed, one from the Israeli media and one from the Canadian

media (which went to the Globe and Mail).

Then it was the first waiting game, standing around the Rotunda for about an hour chatting with various media personnel and Hill, PMO and Embassy of Israel staffers until Netanyahu and Harper arrived.

After the ceremony, the two prime ministers retreated to Harper’s office for the first of their meetings and we spent another hour or so waiting for the press conference.

The press conference was all of 15 minutes. Each leader spoke briefly, first Harper, then Netanyahu, and the two questions were asked and answered.

And that was pretty much it.

As mentioned, the press was barred from the meeting CIJA organized for Netanyahu with invited leaders from Canada’s Jewish community. Earlier in the week, CIJA CEO Shimon Fogel apologetically told me the decision to bar even the Jewish media came directly from the Israeli PMO, that he himself wished it wasn’t so.

On Parliament Hill, I chatted with veteran Jerusalem Post reporter Herb Keinon, part of the Israeli media contin-

gent travelling with Netanyahu. He said he’d been quite surprised to find out the media was not being allowed to attend the event with Jewish community leaders. In his experience covering Netanyahu, the media has generally been welcome at similar events when he meets with Jewish community leadership on his travels.

Netanyahu’s decision to bar even the Jewish media was certainly not in keeping with what’s happened during recent visits to Ottawa by other senior ministers in his government.

Six months ago, when Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was here, there was a similar meeting organized by CIJA, which I covered. Lieberman was open and approachable at that meeting.

And, in October 2010, when Moshe Ya’alon, Israel’s vice-prime minister and minister of strategic affairs, was in Ottawa, he sat down with me for an exclusive 45-minute interview.

From what I’ve gathered, Netanyahu did not say anything at the meeting that he hasn’t said elsewhere on the record.

So, it defies logic that he wouldn’t want a Jewish newspaper reporting on the meeting to the Jewish community.

How can synagogues best serve their congregations, and the community-at-large?

Running a synagogue is a tough business. It is tough in so many ways and is made tougher in today’s world by declining and aging membership, competition and difficult economic times. These pressures lead to unavoidable internal friction and the issues often migrate to the larger Jewish community.

While the state of synagogues may be difficult all over North America, and throughout the world, you have to wonder if it could be more problematic than it is in Ottawa right now. Many of our principal synagogues are collectively, independently and simultaneously thinking and planning their futures, some with hope and some with hope and a prayer.

Congregation Machzikei Hadas remains an esteemed Orthodox synagogue whose future appears to be behind it. The problem is as simple as it is serious. There is no longer a critical mass of Orthodox, let alone Jewish people living in Alta Vista.

Agudath Israel is still reeling from the clumsy way it decided not to renew the contracts of its clergy.

Temple Israel continues to search for a much-needed new property to build or buy a building.

Beth Shalom is wondering where and what to build with its minimum of $15 million from the impending sale of its huge

Jason Moscovitz corner lot at Chapel and Rideau Streets.

The backdrop to any discussion on the future of Ottawa’s synagogues is the low affiliation rate – only 30 per cent of Ottawa’s 15,000 Jews belong to a synagogue.

And there is an even starker reality: the membership demographic of most of Ottawa’s synagogues is predominately baby boomers. Where are the babies and their parents? Who is going to be sitting in those synagogues 30 years from now?

It is public knowledge that Congregation Beth Shalom would like to consider building a new synagogue on the Jewish Community Campus. The idea is to build a multi-purpose building that would offer facilities and opportunities of all kinds for Ottawa’s Jewish community for years to come. Temple Israel was the first to make such a proposal. It withdrew interest when Temple’s leadership was told the Temple would have no equity in the building. In other words, if ever the Temple ceased

being the Temple, the building would become a gift to the Jewish community.

I spoke with Mitchell Bellman, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, and asked how he saw the Beth Shalom proposal. His view is the Federation would be open to a discussion and would be prepared to seriously consider it.

For sake of argument, let’s assume Beth Shalom gets the green light to build on the Jewish Community Campus. There are a couple of questions I anticipated community members would ask: Does Ottawa’s Jewish community not have a host of other huge priorities that need the millions that would be spent constructing a brand new, second, Conservative synagogue?

Does Ottawa really need two Conservative synagogues five minutes away from each other?

Bellman’s first response was a reminder there is talk of Beth Shalom and Agudath Israel merging. He is aware of age-old rivalries and institutional competition, which would make merger of the two synagogues difficult. Nonetheless, he remains hopeful because he believes a merger would be best for the synagogues and would be in the long-term interest of Ottawa’s Jewish community. He also knows he can’t impose his personal thinking on the matter and that,

over and above his personal views, the Federation’s role is to advise not dictate.

There are so many moving parts and questions. Should Beth Shalom and Agudath Israel merge, would they consider expanding and renovating the existing synagogue on Coldrey Avenue? There is certainly enough land and the construction cost wouldn’t be nearly as great as starting from scratch.

Another possibility is that the two merged synagogues could decide to spend more millions and build an even bigger building on the campus. This could clear the way for Temple Israel to buy the Coldrey Avenue site. And, hypothetically, should Machzikei Hadas’ building ever become available, would Temple Israel want to buy it? The possibilities are endless.

With so much potentially happening with all these synagogues, we may be at the crossroads of defining how our synagogues can best serve their individual communities, as well as the community-atlarge.

This leads to the biggest question of all: Will doing the best thing for individual synagogues mesh with doing the best thing for the community? And, if not, why not?

Maybe, one day, someone will say, “All things considered, good judgment prevailed.”

Page 8 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

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A state-of-the-art community shul Ottawa is slowly awakening from the cold winter and the frozen-in-time thinking that has seen the Jewish community struggle to maintain a 30 per cent synagogue affiliation rate in a city with about 15,000 Jews of a population fast approaching a million.

The reality of shul deficits and too many quickly aging shuls has begun to open the eyes of the community and the Jewish Federation of Ottawa to the disconnect that began when the Jewish Community Centre and Beth Shalom separated. A strong community is best maintained when the spiritual and social component operate together in all aspects, especially geographically, because of the demands of Jewish education, seniors and those with special needs.

Temple Israel has now decided the Jewish Community Campus is not right for its membership, Agudath Israel is in the midst of a complete clergy change, and Beth Shalom has sold its downtown property.

A conversation about possible amalgamation or association began. But tribal thinking quickly went into play looking for reasons not to engage rather than looking for solutions.

Ten years ago, if people had been asked about the odds of Agudath Israel becoming egalitarian or Beth Shalom moving to family seating, the likely response would have been “Never!” Time, the wants and needs of the membership and financial realities have proven that values do change and evolve.

The conversation needs to continue so that solutions for incorporating dual services in a brand new state-ofthe-art community shul become a reality.

There are many shuls where several services are con-

bulletin@ottawajewishbulletin.com ducted under the same roof – so both egalitarian and more traditional forms of prayer can be accommodated and so that members will feel comfortable. In time, they may decide to keep the status quo or vote on change as desired.

Beth Shalom will move. They have sold the downtown property and desire to be where the community is.

Temple Israel is looking for a new home that is also close to the Jewish Community Campus.

Perhaps the idea of Temple Israel purchasing the Agudath Israel building makes the most sense. It would give Beth Shalom, Agudath Israel and the Federation the ability to make kashrut a non-issue in a new building on the campus. There must also be a physical linkage of the campus properties for security, parking and the proper utilization of existing space.

March winds and April showers show that change can and does occur. The season for change is now. The shul boards and their memberships need to engage.

It is up to you to talk to your friends and shul members to make sure this opportunity is not lost. The issue of clergy is also not a deal breaker because a new shul of close to 1,000 families needs a team that understands the diverse needs of its members.

Spring flowers will come and, hopefully, the vision of a community shul will bloom.

I hope you will help plant the seeds, because from goodness comes greatness. We owe it to generations past and future to ensure the survival of the Ottawa Jewish community whose history will be rededicated in a new facility.

Please help keep the conversation going by speaking to your board, friends and neighbours.

David Kardish

Letters welcome Letters to the Editor are welcome if they are brief, signed, timely and of interest to our readership. The Bulletin reserves the right to refuse, edit or condense letters.

The Mailbag column will be published as space permits.

Send your letters to Michael Regenstreif, Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1R9; or e-mail bulletin@ottawajewishbulletin.com.

OTTAWA HEBREW FREE LOAN ASSOCIATION For over 75 years the Ottawa Hebrew Free Loan Association has made interest free loans to members of the Ottawa Jewish community.

We have made loans for any worthwhile purpose, including: • Medical and dental expenses • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Weddings • Tools of the trade • Home repairs • Purchase of furniture and appliances • Automobile repairs • Purchase of an automobile • Debt consolidation • Travel to visit a sick relative

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If you need a loan please attend at our office at Suite 301, 2255 Carling Avenue any Wednesday evening between 6:30 and 8:00 or call us at 613-722-2225, extension 319

Toronto – Max (grad student) needs a New Roommate Great 2-bedroom Condo to Share at Bay and College Easy walking distance to U of T, Ryerson, Sick Kids, Toronto General, etc.

Large master bedroom (unfurnished) with its own bathroom.

Rest of the apt is furnished. $1100 monthly. Preferably May 1 occupancy.

Info: Hannah London 613-224-3775; Max London 647-448-3779 or Email Max: maxelondon@gmail.com

March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 9

Machzikei Hadas launches Sephardic Shabbat minyan

Advertorial

JEWISH NATIONAL FUND More than trees 613.798.2411

Oliver Javanpour president

Assisting with Israeli agriculture export capacity I’ve talked a lot about water and trees in my columns, but I haven’t touched on fruits and vegetables. JNF plays a key role in agricultural research in Israel, since much of the research takes place in research and development stations that get 50 per cent of their funding from JNF. Israel knows a lot about growing crops without much water. Israel’s research and development stations focus on developing new products, improving existing ones and improving and renewing agro-techniques for crops. This helps farmers improve the profitability of their farms and contributes to Israel’s agricultural export capacity. A small country with little water is still able to make its mark in the agricultural export world.

Israel is known for the development of new and interesting fruits and vegetables. When I visited research stations in the Negev, I noticed they were experimenting with how to increase pepper crop yield by growing peppers in net tents with different coloured ceilings. The researchers were interested in knowing which colours yielded the best crop.

The research stations study over 30 different species of peppers, many of them for export to Europe during the winter. Growing peppers for export in the western Negev only started five or six years ago and one of the advantages over hotter regions of the Negev is that they can be grown during the hot summer months for local consumption. The research is geared toward identifying which strains produce the best peppers in terms of appearance, weight, taste and shelf life because they are shipped to Europe by boat, which takes about two weeks. Discovering ways to use fewer pesticides, which is very important for the European market, is also a focus of the research.

Training squash plants to climb, in order to prevent them from being attacked by pests and to make harvesting easier, is something my wife’s father has been known to do. While his squashes hung from trees in the back yard, JNF is funding research aimed at commercial growing.

The research experiments grow squash in a closed structure covered by netting and compare the results with squash grown the traditional way.

Strawberries can also be made to hang in the air. Training strawberry vines to climb and grow off the ground began in Israel about 10 years ago. This approach creates a cleaner, nicer looking berry with a longer shelf life. The berries are also less susceptible to disease and pests and are easier to harvest. Creating a better berry gives Israeli fruit an advantage over its competitors in the export market.

The research and development stations are a bridge between theoretical scientific knowledge and the farmers in the field. Farmers also help direct the research by sharing their practical problems with the scientists, who gladly take up the challenge of finding solutions that farmers can use.

If you are planning to be in Israel this spring and would like to visit a research and development centre in the Negev funded by JNF, contact Gail Grief, Executive Director for Eastern Canada at 514-934-0313, ext. 240.

On a daily basis you can plant trees for all occasions. An attractive card is sent to the recipient.

To order, call the JNF office (613.798.2411).

By Rabbi Moshe Baron Congregation Machzikei Hadas On Shabbat, March 24, some 20 to 30 congregants will assemble in Machzikei Hadas’ lower level Beit Midrash for our first ever Sephardic minyan. The service will begin at 9:00 am and conclude at about 11:00.

The minyan will be made up of some Sephardim who live in the community and some curious and enthusiastic Ashkenazic members. I believe this mix of congregants will truly enhance the Rabbi Moshe Baron, pictured with wife Melissa and daughter Liora Simcha, will lead ruach (spirit) of the congrea monthly Sephardic minyan in the Beit Midrash at Congregation Machzikei Hadas. gation.

As program director of ing the diverse and rich comMachzikei Hadas, and being position of this varied and of Sephardic descent, I will interesting community. be encouraging participants There is, in fact, very litto share their Torah thoughts tle difference between the and reflections during the Ashkenazic and Sephardic course of the minyan. services. However, there are Beginning in April, the interesting additions to the Sephardic minyan will meet service and the sound of the regularly on the last Shabbat service is completely differof every month and it is ent in tone. hoped the minyan will The new minyan will be quickly grow to become a open to both members and regular weekly feature at non-members of Machzikei Machzikei Hadas celebrat- Hadas with the hope of attracting new members to the shul.

For more information, or if you are interested in becoming involved with the Sephardic minyan, contact me at 613-400-9162 or machzikeiprograms@gmail. com.

Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their ad in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin!

What’s happening at

Congregation Beth Shalom Every Sunday 9:30-10:30 am

Rabbi’s Lecture Series

Rashi on the Torah

First Sunday each Month Rabbi’s Lecture Series 10:30-11:30 am

Critical Thinkers of the Conservative Movement

Tuesday, March 20 Heart and Crown, 5:30 pm

Torah on Tap with Rabbi Rosenberg for interns/grad/med/law students

Saturday, April 7

Community Passover Seder

7:00 pm

Passover Shabbat Dinner Watch for more upcoming events

Friday, April 13 6:00 pm

Everyone is Welcome!

Watch for more upcoming events Everyone is Welcome!

For more information, please contact the synagogue at 613-789-3501 or info@bethshalom.ca www.bethshalom.ca

Page 10 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

Spring courses and programs for adults at SJCC

By Roslyn Wollock Soloway JCC This spring, the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (JCC) will be offering courses with scholars from the Jewish studies programs at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa through our Enlightened Jewish Education program.

Rebecca Margolis, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa’s Vered Jewish Canadian Studies Program, and author of Jewish Roots, Canadian Soil: Yiddish Culture in Montreal 1905-45, will introduce her Sunday morning audience to what is “nu” in Yiddish culture by looking at new and exciting works in the areas of film, literature and music.

Shawna Dolansky, an adjunct lecturer and research fellow at the College of the Humanities at Carleton University, and a faculty research associate at the Max and Tessie Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies, continues her examination of the Torah from the perspective of biblical scholarship with the book of Deuteronomy/Devarim: a retelling of the stories and laws of the Torah instructing the Israelites about God, nationhood, free will,

Rebecca Margolis

Shawna Dolansky

justice, and community.

Mira Sucharov, assistant dean in the Faculty of Public Affairs and an associate professor of political science at Carleton University, and a faculty research associate at the Max and Tessie Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies, offers IsraeliPalestinian Relations, a new sixweek course, taking participants through the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peace process by probing the collective memories, narratives and identities of each side, and through analyzing folksongs, popular music, poetry, television and poetry. The class will examine current debates sur-

Mira Sucharov

rounding the issues of Jerusalem, refugees and settlements.

The Soloway JCC will also offer courses given by congregational rabbis.

Rabbi Steven Garten’s fourweek course, From Shtetl to Goldene Medina, employs literature to map the transition from Eastern Europe to urban America. The course material includes short stories and novellas by some of the most important Yiddish writers, including Shalom Aleichem, I.L. Peretz, Shalom Asch, David Bergleson, Isaac Bashevis Singer and Dvora Baron.

Rabbi Charles Popky will teach

Rabbi Steven Garten

A Midrashic Look at Torah. Students will explore the teaching stories that the rabbis transmitted to impart the lessons of Torah to their communities.

The Soloway JCC offers many other approaches to experiencing Jewish culture, including Hebrew classes, Judaic paper cutting and Yiddish theatre.

This year is the 10th anniversary of Die Folkshpieler, the Soloway JCC’s Yiddish theatre troupe, and writer-director Shirley Steinberg will present The Best of Die Folkshpieler, a celebratory retrospective of light theatre, comedy and music on Sunday, June 17.

Rabbi Charles Popky

The Soloway JCC Shiru Lach Choir, under the direction of Ellen Asherman, will perform its annual closing concert, A Musical Mosaic, on Tuesday, May 29.

The Soloway JCC is also exploring the possibility of offering a stained glass art class taught by Oded and Pamela Ravek of OR Design. Anyone interested in creating stained glass projects should contact me at 613-798-9818, ext.

254, or rwollock@jccottawa.com.

To learn about more spring programs and course details, visit www.jccottawa.com or contact me at 613-798-9818, ext. 254, or rwollock@jccottawa.com.

March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 11 BSD

THIS YEAR DON’T PASS US OVER Members of the Jewish Community (singles, students, couples and families)

are cordially invited to attend the

Passover Seders Friday, April 6, 2012 and Saturday, April 7, 2012 at the home of Dr. Joseph and Devora Caytak 185 Switzer Avenue Patsy Royer of Amit Chapter CHW gathers crafts for the Passover Fair, March 25, at Beit Tikvah.

CHW, Na’amat and Beit Tikvah to hold Passover Fair

By Ruth Pampered Chef products will be available for Kahane Goldberg purchase at the fair. for CHW Ottawa Centre Forms will also be available to arrange for The Passover Fair, a one-stop gift destina- selling your chametz. tion showcasing wine, handcrafted gifts and Proceeds from the fair will benefit the kitchen aids, has been designed to ease holi- groups’ projects locally and in Israel. day preparations.

For further information, contact Beit TikCanadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) Ot- vah at 613-723-1800 or shul@cbto.org, tawa Centre, Na’amat Ottawa and Beit Tik- Deana at 613-726-9595 or Marilyn at vah are collaborating to create this first-time marilyn_sch1970@yahoo.ca. event to be held Sunday, March 25, 10:30 am to 4:00 pm at Congregation Beit Tikvah of Ottawa, 15 Chartwell Avenue in Craig Henry.

The article Marie Stovicek prepares to retire after 22 The fair will be the pickyears with Early Beginnings (March 5) mentioned a celup point for Passover wine ebration honouring Marie will take place Sunday, orders from Aviva Chapter, March 25, 2:30 pm, at the Soloway Jewish Community Na’amat. A line of Pesach Centre. paraphernalia, handcrafted However, the e-mail address listed to RSVP for the

by Amit Chapter CHW in event was incorrect. The correct address is holiday fabrics, will include MarieRSVP2012@gmail.com. matzo covers, afikoman bags, children’s and adult aprons, and Pesach wine bags designed to complement Na’amat’s wines.

Beit Tikvah Gift Shop items, Designs by Sharron, Marvalee Jewellery, Myrna’s Creations in Clay, Terry’s Cookbook: Tastes and Tales of Terry Schwarzfeld, a selection of Jewish books from Collected Works Bookstore and Coffee Bar and

Correction – Marie Stovicek

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Page 12 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO MAKE THINGS SIMPLER

Israeli tourism minister briefed on Dragon Boat Israel festival

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At a February 23 meeting in Montreal, Jewish Federation of Ottawa Chair Debbie Halton-Weiss briefed Israeli Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov on the Dragon Boat Israel festival, May 17-18, on the Sea of Galilee, and presented him with a framed memento of the event.

The Dragon Boat Israel initiative originated with the Federation and has been spearheaded by HaltonWeiss.

French prime minister calls for end to ritual slaughter (JTA) Paris – French Prime Minister François Fillon advised Muslims and Jews to forego ritual slaughter practices he deems un-modern.

“I think religions should think about maintaining traditions that no longer have much in common with the state of science and technology, health issues today,” Fillon said March 5 in reference to halal and kosher practices.

“We’re in a modern country. There are traditions that are ancestral traditions that no longer correspond to much, whereas they corresponded in the past to problems of hygiene,” he said, citing his “personal” opinion.

The French Jewish community reacted with outrage.

“Shocked,” said Richard Prasquier, president of CRIF (Conseil représentatif des in-

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stitutions juives de France), the French Jewish umbrella group. “Fillon’s declaration is stupefying. There is something disagreeable, humiliating and against our republican tradition” in the prime minister’s comments.

Fillon’s remarks were in reference to a controversy initiated by far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen, who claimed Parisians were only being supplied with halal meat without knowing it. That claim was later denied, but it led to another contested proposal by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, March 3, that animals slaughtered according to halal and kosher traditions be clearly labeled.

Jewish community leaders are against labelling kosherslaughtered meat because they are afraid those products will be boycotted. Ritually slaughtered animals do not necessarily end up being sold as kosher meat, but enter the regular market, according to the CRIF website.

March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 13

2012 Tu Bi’Shevat Telethon Thank you to our wonderful supporters who "answered the call" and to our dedicated volunteers. Together, we have raised over $75,000 towards the restoration of the ancient terrace in Mt. Carmel and planted many fruit trees.

In grateful appreciation to

THE REGIONAL GROUP Business Sponsors Nine to Five Coffee Northern Management Services Rideau Bakery

The al-Kuwaiti Brothers band was popular in Iraq in the 1930s.

Film spotlights Israeli musician’s search for his musical heritage

By Fred Litwin Besides showcasing the amazing music Free Thinking Film Society that emanated from Iraq, the film also traces The Free Thinking Film Society is team- Tassa’s efforts to fuse his grandfather’s ing up with the Soloway Jewish Communi- music with his rock sensibilities. When he ty Centre to bring a series of Jewish- and collaborates with Yair Dala, one of the Israel-themed films to Ottawa. All screen- world’s best oud players, you will see some ings will have free admission. real magic. If you want to see some passion, The series will begin Thursday, March some love for music, that is when Iraq N’ 22 with the Ottawa debut of the documen- Roll will have you in tears. And what a joy to see them fusing traditional Iraqi music, tary, Iraq N’ Roll.

Iraq N’ Roll follows Israeli rock musician sung in Arabic, with Israeli rock!

Duda Tassa in his search for his musical herIraq N’ Roll was written and directed by itage. His grandfather, Daud al-Kuwaiti and Gili Gaon and was produced by Dani his brother, Saleh, led a very popular band in Haimovich of Station Films. It is in Hebrew Iraq in the 1930s, featuring traditional Iraqi and Arabic with English subtitles. musicians. They packed huge auditoriums in Iraq N’ Roll will be shown Thursday, March 22, 7:00 pm, at the Soloway Jewish Iraq and even played for the king.

When they were forced to leave Iraq in the Community Centre. Admission is free.

1950s, they found that few Israelis wanted to hear Iraqi Sephardic music and stopped playing professionally. While they still played weddings and the like, they forbade their children from playing music. The experience was just too painful for them.

Fortunately, though, the brothers played for the State of Israel archivists and there are several recordings of them playing when they arrived in Israel. It’s a joy to see Tassa discover this music – both from the archives and from talking with his mother, who had always wanted to sing with Israeli musician Duda Tassa and his mother discuss her father, but had not been their family’s musical heritage in a scene from Iraq N’ Roll. allowed.

Patrons Myrna & Norman Barwin Margo & Alan Blostein Carole & André Brantz Marcia & Barry Cantor Lisa & Fred Cogan Lily Feig Aviva & Charles Freedman Jane & Martin Gordon Gladys & John Greenberg

Diane Crouse & Oliver Javanpour Carol & Stuart Levine Suzanne Lepine & Paul Lyons Rosalie & Harold Schwartz Susan & Charles Schwartzman Paula Silver Jackie & Lucian Sitwell Lynda Taller-Wakter & Alex Wakter Val Eisen & Lawrence Zinman

Sponsors Debbie Baylin Naomi & Allan Cracower Mera & William Goldstein

Edie Landau Adele & Jeff Sidney

Co-Chairs Jane & Martin Gordon

Volunteers Naomi Ballon Dr. Norman Barwin, C.M. Sheila Baslaw Debbie Baylin Tracy Bielak Alan Blostein Rabbi Dr. Reuven P. Bulka Robin Chernick Elizabeth (Lisa) Cogan Diane Crouse Julie Fine Martin Freeman Gina Grant

Ross Grief Rudy Grief Merle Haltrecht-Matte Hannah Javanpour Susan Katz Norman Leckie Mory MacLeod Ruth Mendell Steven Mendelsohn Barbara Okun Brian Pearl Rochelle Pearl Joel Perelmutter Sydney Perelmutter

Frayda Raber Carl Raskin Patsy Royer Harold Schwartz Charles Schwartzman Marion Silver Michael Silverman Victoria Silverman Jackie Sitwell Howard Spunt Joan Spunt Evan Weiner Charlie Wiseman

Jewish National Fund of Ottawa Oliver Javanpour

Susan M. Schwartzman

Gail Grief

President

Coordinator

Executive Director, Eastern Canada

If you missed our call, it's not too late to plant trees!

Contact (613) 798-2411 or ottawa@jnf.ca

Page 14 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

Influential rabbi to be scholar-in-residence at Agudath Israel

By Nicola Hamer for Agudath Israel Agudath Israel Congregation is looking forward to a long-awaited visit by Rabbi Naomi Levy, our next scholar-in-residence. A California-based Conservative rabbi with both a regular pulpit and a virtual online congregation, Rabbi Levy will be visiting Ottawa for the March 23-25 weekend.

A popular speaker and author, Rabbi Levy communicates with her audience in a very personal way providing possible solutions for some of the issues facing Judaism in the 21st century.

Jack Klein, president of Agudath Israel, emphasized the weekend is open to the whole community.

“Rabbi Levy’s message transcends denominations and promises to be transformational for all those who attend. We are very excited to have someone of her stature coming to our community,” he said.

Rabbi Levy is the founder of Nashuva, an organization dedicated to prayer, social action and outreach to the unaffiliated. The Nashuva philosophy is one of complete inclusiveness and its leaders saw the Internet as a way to

reach the formerly unreachable. In 2008, Nashuva began webcasting its Kol Nidre service over the Internet and received hundreds of thousands of hits.

Rabbi Levy, who is included on the Newsweek/Daily Beast list of America’s 50 Most Influential Rabbis, is the author of several books. Her first, To Begin Again, chronicles her journey to the rabbinate. The second, Talking to God, addresses the importance and power of prayer, a topic that comes up regularly in her speeches and writing. Rabbi Levy believes in the deep significance of traditional prayer, and personal prayer can also be a source of healing and comfort.

Her latest book, Hope Will Find You, is an emotional story of how her family grappled with her young daughter’s diagnosis of a rare and potentially fatal disease, and how her daughter’s faith helped her overcome her despair.

Rabbi Charles Popky, who was at the Jewish Theological Seminary at the same time as Rabbi Levy, said he is certain she will speak to a wide audience.

“Rabbi Levy is at the cutting edge of developing engaging and dynamic religious

Rabbi Naomi Levy will addresses topics relating to prayer and Jewish outreach as scholar-in-residence at Agudath Israel Congregation, March 23-25.

communities and, at the same time, has drawn from her personal story to touch people’s individual hearts and souls. To hear Rabbi Levy speak is incredibly inspiring. She has a great

deal to say about important issues facing not just Conservative Jews, but all Jews. We are so delighted that we finally got her to come to Ottawa,” said Rabbi Popky.

Agudath Israel has invited all who are interested to come to hear Rabbi Levy and to join in the discussion of the issues she will bring forward.

Rabbi Levy will speak first on Friday, March 23, at a Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner lecture. Her topic will be Life Under Construction: Repairing Our World, Repairing Ourselves.

On Saturday, March 24, her Shabbat sermon will be Sometimes A Little Push Can Cause Seas to Part: Small Steps Can Lead to Big Change, A Path to Transformation and her Havdallah Lecture will be Talking to God: Finding Our Own Voice in Prayer. Following the lecture, Rabbi Levy will encourage all of us to write our own prayer.

On Sunday, March 25, her morning lecture following Shacharit services will be Nashuva: We Will Return – A Model for Jewish Outreach.

For more information, call Agudath Israel at 613-728-3501.

Guest column

Reflections by an Israeli participant in the Social Action Mission

By Hadar Zafrir I live in a country with a Jewish majority. I am the third generation of Holocaust survivors who went a long way to reach Israel, settle and raise a family.

I grew up in a traditional home where we lit Shabbat candles and celebrated Israeli holidays and found myself avoiding hard and complicated questions like “What makes me a Jew?” or “Besides my family and my country’s history,

what is important for me in my life as a Jew?” Far away from home, at the other end of the world, after crossing lands and oceans, I found good people who are not afraid and dare to cope with these questions. Their answer is simple and true: They choose to be Jews, choose to keep their Jewish heritage, history and culture. With a lot of love and giving, they nurture a wonderful community, united and solidified, atten-

tive and caring, helping others and keeping a tight connection to Israel and the Galilee.

As part of CTC/Galilee Panhandle P2Gether, the more-than-adecade long partnership between the coast-to-coast Canadian communities (CTC) and the Galilee Panhandle, there is an endeavour of connecting people, called the Living Bridge. Over the past few years, the partnership had decided to try to deepen connections between the

Israeli participant Hadar Zafrir (second from left) on a tour of Ottawa given by Sylvia Kershman of the Ottawa Jewish Historical Society for participants in the Social Action Mission.

Pictured (from left): Kershman, Zafrir, Ottawa participant Daniel Shugar, Israeli participant Daniel Ofek and Ottawa participant Howie Fremeth.

Canadians and Israelis beyond programs for elementary and high schools and focus on young people in their 20s.

2012 is the third year of the Social Action Mission, a mifgash (exchange) between Canadian and Israeli young adults in which they volunteer and implement a project for the benefit of the community, in Canada as well as in Israel.

In Ottawa, I encountered great Zionism, which I’d not previously seen anywhere else in the world, including Israel.

“You are a Zionist because you live in Israel, on the front line, you served in the army,” people I met told me.

True, but I was born to this reality. I did not choose it. I live with it in peace and love it, although sometimes it is hard and challenging.

But the people I met in Ottawa, who are working for the Jewish community and for Israel, do so of their own choice. They love, give and care about Israel with a sense of belonging and mission.

I returned to Israel after visiting Ottawa with some very important insights.

First, the close connection between Israeli Jews and Diaspora Jews is two-sided and essential. Diaspora Jews serve as our spokespeople and supporters in the hostile world and we serve as a supportive crutch for the distant Jewish com-

munities.

Second, I found great similarities between the small community where I grew up, Givat Yoav, a small moshav in the southern Golan Heights, and the Jewish community in Ottawa. In spite of the differences between the communities, one secular and the other religious, the common denominator is the community members’ sense of identity and the feeling that one is not alone. The mutual help and support, listening and sharing, are such important values, which accompany us all our lives.

My connection with Ottawa is certainly not over. I am looking into the possibility of returning there to live and experience the community at close range, to volunteer there and to earn my master’s degree at one of the local universities.

After graduating, I will return to Israel and I may be able to implement, even a little, the manner of the supportive Ottawa community in my small community in Israel.

I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity. For the wonderful teaching experience, which will accompany me and guide me in my life.

I am looking forward to our next mifgash in Israel in May. Hadar Zafrir, 26, participated in the 2011 Social Action Mission. She is studying nutritional science at Tel Hai College in the Upper Galilee.

March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 15

No Tenors Allowed at Temple Israel concert

By Mort Bercovitch for Temple Israel Lyric baritone Matthew Zadow, bass baritone Bruce Kelly and pianist Dina Namer will be featured Saturday, March 31, 8:00 pm, in the next concert in Temple Israel’s series of musical presentations.

“The baritones have had enough of playing second fiddle!

No Tenors Allowed is a project for two baritones that incorporates comedic and dramatic duets of Donizetti, Bellini and Verdi, solo arias from the Italian, French, German and English repertoires, as well as art song solo and duet selections. It’s a pleasing mix of musical textures, showcasing the different colours, emotions and characterizations of the lower male voice in a very accessible way,” said Zadow about the concert.

“The baritones wish to explain that tenors are, of course, allowed to attend such a concert, but they mustn’t sing,” he added.

In view of that qualification, perhaps the concert title should be “No Tenors Aloud.

Baritone Matthew Zadow was born into a family of amateur singers and musicians. He studied

Baritones Matthew Zadow (left) and Bruce Kelly and pianist Dina Namer perform their concert, No Tenors Allowed, March 31, at Temple Israel.

piano, guitar, trombone and singing as a teenager and was a frequent actor on the stage. Still, he began his university studies in science, only switching to formal music study in his last year, when he began his vocal studies with Bruce Kelly, first at Queen’s University in Kingston, then privately after graduating from Queen’s in 1998.

Since 2007, Zadow has been based in Brussels, enjoying a

flourishing international career in recital, oratorio and opera with recent debuts in Holland, Ireland and Belgium, interspersed with frequent Canadian performances.

Last May, an Ottawa audience heard Zadow’s performance of Schubert’s song cycle “Die schöne Müllerin” with Ottawa pianist Dina Namer.

This coming spring, the duo will take this recital on tour to a number of Canadian cities.

Baritone Bruce Kelly’s international career has taken him to many of the important opera houses and concert halls of Europe and his native Canada. He has appeared in Nice, Strasbourg, Liège, Avignon and Moscow in a variety of leading roles.

In Canada, the list of his engagements includes dozens of performances in opera, oratorio and on concert stages from St. John’s to Victoria.

Highly regarded as a teacher, Kelly has taught voice at the Queen’s University School of Music since 1992.

Pianist Dina Namer is well known as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher. Her repertoire covers a wide range from baroque harpsichord works to contemporary Canadian compositions, which she often performs in collaboration with members of the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

She has performed regularly in the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival and the Alexandria Festival of the Lakes in Minnesota.

Namer has been a member of the Aulos Trio, which has produced a CD devoted to the works of Canadian composers; the Ottawa Baroque Ensemble; and the Sh’ma Ensemble, a group dedicated to the resurrection of forgotten works by Holocaust composers.

Namer teaches piano at Queen’s University in addition to running a busy private studio.

Tickets are $20 (adults) and $15 (students) and may be may be obtained by calling Nancy Bercovitch at 613-731-9278 or Temple Israel at 613-224-1802.

Page 16 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

Obama and Netanyahu disagree, in private and in public

By Ron Kampeas Washington (JTA) – U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree, at least in principle: Keep the talk on what to do about Iran behind closed doors. But, once they’re behind those doors, they can’t agree – and they can’t seem to resist bringing their disagreements into the open.

Within hours of a long and private Oval Office meeting on March 5 that aides to both leaders said was productive, Netanyahu suggested that Obama’s sanctions-focused approach to Iran’s nuclear program wasn’t producing results. The next day Obama was warning that the United States would suffer repercussions, if Israel struck Iran prematurely.

There also seem to have been some concessions from both sides.

Netanyahu told Obama and congressional leaders that he had not yet decided to strike Iran. And Obama’s defence secretary, Leon Panetta, issued perhaps the most explicit warning yet of possible U.S. military action against Iran in his March 6 address to the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

“Military action is the last alternative when all else fails,” he said on the conference’s last day in a round of morning addresses aimed at motivating the 13,000 activists in attendance before they visited

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama meet in the White House Oval Office to talk about Iran and other issues, March 5.

(Photo: Ron Kampeas)

Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers.

“But, make no mistake. If all else fails, we will act.”

That formulation is more acute than the “no-options-off-the-table” language that has been the boilerplate for the Obama and Bush administrations.

Much of Panetta’s speech appeared to be a bid to persuade Netanyahu to co-ordinate more closely with the U.S. “Co-operation is going to be essential to confronting the challenges of the 21st century,” Panetta

said. “The United States must always have the unshakable trust of our ally Israel. We are stronger when we act as one.”

Top Obama administration officials have tried to persuade Netanyahu that diplomatic options have not yet been exhausted in the bid to have Iran stand down from its suspected nuclear weapons program.

Netanyahu did not seem as eager to co-operate in his hard-hitting speech the night before, which repeatedly brought the AIPAC crowd

to its feet for ovations. He stressed Israel’s right to act and expressed impatience with the pace of efforts to bring pressure to bear on Iran.

“I appreciate President Obama’s recent efforts to impose even tougher sanctions against Iran, and these sanctions are hurting Iran’s economy, but, unfortunately, Iran’s nuclear program continues to march forward,” Netanyahu said.

“We’ve waited for diplomacy to work. We’ve waited for sanctions to work. None of us can afford to wait much longer. As prime minis-

Mitzvah Knitters The Mitzvah Knitters meet Wednesday afternoons at the Soloway Jewish Community to make sweaters, hats and blankets for such worthy causes as Hillel Lodge, the Children’s Aid Society and CHEO. Pictured (from left) with some of their latest creations: Patricia Bell, Tamara Wong, Sue Wong, Liz Kronick, Elaine Singer, Lisa Sandell, Merle Haltrecht-Matte and Phyllis Sadowski.

(Photo: Michael Regenstreif)

ter of Israel, I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation.”

Responding to commentators who argue that military action against Iran would be ineffective or provoke a violent response, Netanyahu said, “I’ve heard these arguments before.”

He then dramatically held up correspondence from 1944 between the World Jewish Congress (WJC) and the U.S. War Department in which the latter rejected the WJC’s plea to bomb Auschwitz and the railways leading to the death camp.

“2012 is not 1944. The American government today is different.

You heard that in President Obama’s speech yesterday,” he said. “But here is my point: The Jewish people are also different today. We have a state of our own, and the purpose of a Jewish state is to defend Jewish lives and secure our future. Never again.”

He repeated the line that he had told Obama at the outset of their meeting earlier in the day: “When it comes to Israel’s survival, we must always remain the masters of our fate.”

Such talk appeared to frustrate Obama. The next day, in response to a question at a news conference, Obama pointedly said that military action against Iran could have consequences for the United States.

“Israel is a sovereign nation that has to make its own decisions about how best to preserve its security,” he said. “And, as I said over the last several days, I am deeply mindful of the historical precedents that weigh on any prime minister of Israel when they think about the potential threats to Israel and the Jewish homeland.”

But then he added, “The argument that we’ve made to the Israelis is that we have made an unprecedented commitment to their security. There is an unbreakable bond between our two countries, but one of the functions of friends is to make sure that we provide honest and unvarnished advice in terms of what is the best approach to achieve a common goal, particularly one in which we have a stake. This is not just an issue of Israeli interests; this is an issue of U.S. interests. It’s also not just an issue of consequences for Israel, if action is taken prematurely.

There are consequences to the United States as well.”

Obama circled back to Republican critics who have accused him of not making it clear to Iran that a (Continued on page 25)

March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 17

Six Degrees (No Bacon): Jewish celebrity roundup Shimon Peres on The View Israeli President Shimon Peres, in New York City before the AIPAC policy conference in Washington, was his usual suave self in an interview with Barbara Walters on The View.

When Walters asked how he felt being surrounded by women, he cited the many Israeli women in positions of power and said, “I feel really at home.�

Walters quickly jumped to the burning topic of the moment – Iran. Citing speculation about a possible Israeli attack, Walters asked Peres about the possibility of Israel not notifying the U.S. in advance. Peres, diplomatic as usual, said the U.S. and Israel agree that a nuclear Iran would be dangerous, that Iran shouldn’t have a bomb and that “all options are on the table.�

The 89-year-old Peres said the IsraelU.S. relationship was never better on security and asked the audience if it wanted to be friends with him on Facebook.

Discussing his age, Walters, a fellow octogenarian, told Peres that, since they have known each other for some time, she had to give him a kiss. Peres didn’t resist.

So here’s Peres, nearing 90: He’s on Facebook, surrounded by women and kissing Barbara Walters on television. You’ve still got it, Shimon!

Ireland loves Israel Supermodel Kathy Ireland, that is.

Ireland was among the small coterie of celebrities buried among the record-breaking swarm of 13,000 people gathered in Washington this month for AIPAC’s policy conference. She was given a prime speaking slot at the plenary.

Moving quickly to address the question that surely was on everyone’s mind: Why on earth is a woman best known for gracing magazine covers in a bikini talking about Israel? “Today, I serve as a designer, CEO, a

few Tel Aviv hotels received notice to prepare a quote for about 50 rooms at the end of August. The film is produced by New Regency, a company owned by Israeli producer Arnon Milchan, and directed by James Gray, who has used Israeli actors for his films in the past.

The main question is what about Angelina Jolie and the kids? They tend to travel together, with one usually tending to the kids while the other is shooting. Are they all coming to Israel with daddy?

Israeli President Shimon Peres and The View host Barbara Walters on the show’s set in New York, February 29.

(Photo: Moshe Milner/GPO/Flash90/JTA)

mother, a wife, a Christian and a very proud pro-Israel American. It is humbling to stand before you. And since I’ve arrived, many of you very kindly have asked me ‘Why are you here?’ I’m here to speak loudly to you and to the world with a personal testimony that Israel is not only a Jewish value; it is a cherished American value.�

Report: Brad Pitt to spend the summer in Israel Get ready to hear a lot about this: Brad Pitt is reportedly going to spend the latesummer in Israel.

Pitt is in final negotiations to star in The Gray Man, a movie based on a successful

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novel about a CIA agent who goes rogue and scheduled to be shot partially in Israel.

Good Evening with Guy Pines, Israel’s main celebrity news show, reports that a Children Healthcare Women

The Artist star Jean Dujardin to film in Israel Pitt might not be the only international celebrity coming to Israel. The latest actor to hop on the “filming in Israel� bandwagon is French actor Jean Dujardin, the recent Academy Award winner for his lead role in The Artist.

Dujardin is set to appear in Mobius, a film about a Jewish Russian oligarch who launders money between a Monte Carlo casino and Israel.

According to the Israeli paper Ma’ariv, Dujardin will play a police agent who specializes in financial investigations and falls in love with a young trader who works the oligarch. The filming is set to start in April.

However, Ma’ariv reports that insurance companies are hesitant to cover the filming because of the possibility of a war between Israel and Iran.

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Page 18 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

In support of the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge In the Joseph and Inez Zelikovitz Long Term Care Centre Card Donations Card donations go a long way to improving the quality of life for our residents. Thank you for considering their needs and contributing to their well-being.

On behalf of the residents and their families, we extend sincere appreciation to the following individuals and families who made card donations to the Hillel Lodge Long-Term Care Foundation between February 15 and 29, 2012 inclusive.

HONOUR FUNDS Unlike a bequest or gift of life insurance, which are realized some time in the future, a named Honour Fund (i.e., endowment fund) is established during your lifetime.

By making a contribution of $1,000 or more, you can create a permanent remembrance for a loved one, honour a family member, declare what the Lodge has meant to you and/or support a cause that you believe in.

A Hillel Lodge Honour Fund is a permanent pool of capital that earns interest or income each year. This income then supports the priorities designated by you, the donor.

Bill and Leona Adler Memorial Fund In Honour of: Sylvia Kaiman Mazal tov on the birth of your great grandson by Elayne Adler, Farley, Jordan and Benjamin Stenzler Gaye and Joel Taller Mazal tov on the birth of your grandson by Elayne Adler, Farley, Jordan and Benjamin Stenzler Nili and Shmuel Szilagyi Mazal tov on the birth of your daughter by Elayne Adler and Farley Stenzler Fred and Esther Ballon Family Fund In Memory of: Ethel Murray by Esther and Fred Ballon Boris and Dolly Blacher Family Fund In Honour of: Anne Ginsberg Happy 98th birthday by the Blacher family Abe and Bea Dubinsky Endowment Fund In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Abe Dubinsky by Bea Dubinsky Friedberg and Dale Families Fund In Memory of: Mother of Zvi Gross by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Sam Dale by Bob Dale

Malcolm and Vera Glube Endowment Fund In Memory of: Rochelle Levitt by Malcolm and Vera Glube In Honour of: Ian Borer Congratulations on Adam’s engagement by Malcolm and Vera Glube R’fuah Shlema: Lionel Selsen by Malcolm and Vera Glube Nell Gluck Memorial Fund In Honour of: Zvi Nix Mazal tov on your 75th birthday by Henry and Maureen Molot and family Carole and Bernie Starkman Mazal tov on Julianne’s engagement to Doron Brown by Henry and Maureen Molot In Memory of: Jack Baylin by Manny Gluck Jack Weinman by Henry and Maureen Molot Stephen Vineberg by Manny Gluck and Cheryle Hothersall; and by Henry and Maureen Molot Nordau and Roslyn Kanigsberg Family Fund In Memory of: Rochelle Levitt by Nordau and Roz Kanigsberg and Lisa Kanigsberg and Kris Dorken Dorothy and Maurie Karp Endowment Fund In Memory of: Ethel Murray by Dorothy Karp R’fuah Shlema: Morris Melamed by Dorothy Karp In Honour of: Phyllis and Laz Newman Mazal tov on the engagement of Lori to Mendy Taller by Dorothy Karp and family Morris and Lillian Kimmel Family Fund In Honour of: Gaye and Joel Taller Mazal Tov on the birth of your grandson, Asher James by Morris Kimmel, Brenda and Nathan Levine and Steven and Shelli Kimmel and families; and by Stephen, Janet, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman Sylvia Kaiman Mazal tov on the birth of your great grandson, Asher James by by Morris Kimmel, Brenda and Nathan Levine and Steven and Shelli Kimmel and families; and by Stephen, Janet, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman Karin and Berny Fresco Mazal tov on the birth of your grandson, Asher James by Morris Kimmel, Brenda and Nathan Levine and Steven and Shelli Kimmel and families Karin, Berny and Esti Fresco Mazal tov on the

birth of Asher James by Stephen, Janet, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman Adam and Julianne Taller Mazal tov on the birth of your son, Asher James by Morris Kimmel, Brenda and Nathan Levine and Steven and Shelli Kimmel and families Mollie Fine Happy birthday by Sylvia, Stephen, Janet, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman Nancy and David Segal Mazal tov on the birth of your grandson by Morris Kimmel, Brenda, Nathan, Jesse and Daniel Levine In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Sol Kaiman a beloved father and zayda by Stephen, Janet, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman Joan and Russell Kronick Family Fund In Memory of: Jack Baylin by Joan and Russell Kronick In Honour of: Sol Shabinsky Congratulations on your special birthday with love by Joanie and Russell Kronick Sam and Dora Litwack Family Fund In Memory of: Rochelle Levitt by Marjorie and Mark Litwack Stephen and Debra Schneiderman Family Fund In Honour of: Larry Gradus Mazal tov on being recognized for your role in dance by Stephen and Debra Schneiderman In Memory of: Guenter Krebs by Bunnie Cogan; and by Heather and Mark Evenchick Label and Leona Silver Family Fund In Memory of: Ethel Murray by Label and Leona Silver In Honour of: Joel and Gaye Taller Mazal tov on the birth of your grandson by Label and Leona Silver R’fuah Shlema: Ken and Leah Miller by Label and Leona Silver Sarah and Arnie Swedler Family Fund In Memory of: Ethel Murray by Arnie Swedler and Rhoda Zaitlin Sylvia Holtzman by Arnie Swedler and Rhoda Zaitlin Carole and Norman Zagerman Family Fund In Memory of: Jack Baylin by Carole and Norman Zagerman Gert Budovitch by Carole and Norman Zagerman R’fuah Shlema: Irving Taylor by Carole and Norman Zagerman In Honour of: Barbara Cohen Happy special birthday by Carole and Norman Zagerman *************** Capital Campaign In Memory of: Bill Outerbridge by David and Sharon Appotive

Recreation Fund In Memory of: Anita Dubinsky by Ursula Grushman Therapeutics Fund In Memory of: Anita Dubinsky by Ira and Joanna Abrams IN HONOUR OF: Fanny Gosevitz Happy 98th birthday by Clara and Meir Shaolian; by Joe and Sheila Nadrich; by Sylvia Bronsther; by Carol and Stephen Cowitz; and

by Irving and Ann Atkins Mindi Bullion Birthday wishes by Zahava Farber Maurice Ryant Thinking of you by Jean Naemark IN MEMORY OF: Kurt Brewer by Irving and Ann Atkins Anita Dubinsky by Maureen and Clary Ottman;

by Mary Anne and Marty Van Gaal; by Peter and Minda Wershof; by Shelley and Mel Goodman; by Carol Ann Davidson; by Bonnie and Sherwin Lyman and family; by Pam and Karen Maser; by Thelma and Allan Haimovitz; by Frieda and Phil Chodos; and by Judith Weinman Shirley Winer by the Segal family; by Peter and Minda Wershof; by Ursula Grushman; the Pascoe family; by Bonnie and Sherwin Lyman; by Herb and Lillian Laks; by Amichai Wise and Emma Blanchard; by Judith Weinman; and by Lil and Norm Levitin, Howard, Jordan, Fran, Cheryl and Gerry Bernard Katz by Morris Shapiro and Susan Weinstein Rhoda Abbey by Eleanor, Ken, Susan and Julie Mintz Eileen Goldberg by Ida Shladover Ira Portnoy by Claire and Irving Bercovitch Frances Rothman by Lottie Shainbaum Father of Victoria Abenhaim by Zahava and Barry Farber and family Frank Da Costa by David Kalin Jack Weinman by Rhoda Zaitlin and Arnie Swedler Fay Shulman by Muriel and Michael Wexler and family Eileen Goldberg by Muriel and Michael Wexler and family Geety Freedman by Muriel and Michael Wexler and family Mel Schwartz by Muriel and Michael Wexler and family Jack Baylin by Eleanor and Paul Weiner Sylvia Easdown by the Residents, Board and Staff of Hillel Lodge In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Moshe Feig a dear uncle by Zahava and Barry Farber and family Eric Weiner and Arlene Godfrey Family Fund Congratulations to Larry Gradus for receiving this well deserved honour. You are an asset to our family and the community.

By Aunt Eleanor, Uncle Paul, Barbara & Jeff, Carla and Bruce

THE LODGE EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT AND APOLOGIZES FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, THE WORDING APPEARING IN THE BULLETIN IS NOT NECESSARILY THE WORDING WHICH APPEARED ON THE CARD. GIVING IS RECEIVING – ATTRACTIVE CARDS AVAILABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS Here’s a good opportunity to recognize an event or convey the appropriate sentiment to someone important to you and at the same time support the Lodge. Card orders may be given to Bev at 728-3900, extension 111, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday. You may also e-mail your orders to donations@hillel-ltc.com or online donations can be made through CanadaHelps.org. All orders must include name, address, postal code, and any message to person receiving the card; and, amount of donation, name, address and postal code of the person making the donation. Cards may be paid for by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Cheque or Cash. Contributions are tax deductible.

March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 19

Page 20 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 21

Time for the Jewish community to think creatively about new possibilities I depend on my gym buddies to help me get through my regular workout at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (SJCC). Recently, I spoke to one of them, Sam Zunder, about the weekly breakfast of eggs, toast, juice and coffee he shares most Sunday mornings with 12 to 20 other guys. They are old Ottawa friends, many of whom have been breakfasting together for 25 years. They used to meet downtown at the Bay Street Bistro, but now they gather on Sunday mornings at Sam’s retirement residence.

Sam generally enjoys where he lives. He’s in a beautiful part of the city a short drive from one of the synagogues where he enjoys an associate membership, but there’s something lacking for him.

“I want more Jewish culture. I want a kosher place,” Sam told me.

A few years ago, with his wife’s health in decline, they moved from their condo to a retirement residence. But he wishes there was a Jewish retirement residence in town, one located even closer to a synagogue and to other cultural activities.

Perhaps it is Sam’s storied history working for decades in his ByWard Market family business, Zunder’s Fruitmart (originally, Zunder’s Quality Fruit Supply). Sam was profiled by Shawna Wagman in an Ottawa Magazine (November 2008) feature on the history of the ByWard Market’s Jewish food vendors. “‘We were happy. There was never a locked door, and everybody helped each other out,’ recalls Zunder. ‘It was all Jewish people. You could just walk into anybody’s house, just like that.’”

Guest column

On domestic violence front, more work is needed

By Lori Weinstein and Lee Sherman Editor’s note: Shalom Bayit is a Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Ottawa program that assists Jewish women facing domestic abuse. For information on Shalom Bayit services, contact Sarah Caspi at 613-722-2225, ext. 246, or scaspi@jfsottawa.com.

The seventh annual Shalom Bayit Seder, which brings awareness of domestic violence issues in the Jewish community, will take place Sunday April 1, 5:00 pm, at Congregation Agudath Israel. Tickets for this women’s event are $36.00 and may be reserved by calling JFS at 613-722-2225, ext.

406.

(JTA) – Thirty years ago, a Jewish woman experiencing domestic violence had few places to turn. Community leaders strongly resisted acknowledging violence for fear that it would harm marriages and break up families. Few services existed for women seeking support in a Jewish setting.

Since then, we have witnessed a bold transformation in Jewish communal responses to violence against women.

Today, more Jewish women experiencing domestic violence are coming forward than ever before. Approximately 175 Jewish programs and organizations are in place in North America – including the Shalom Bayit program at Jewish Family Services of Ottawa – to respond

to their complex needs with lifesaving services. Jewish clergy have recognized that, in times of crisis, survivors often turn to them for support, guidance and refuge, and they are working together to promote awareness and share best practices when counselling families experiencing abuse. Jewish domestic violence organizations also are engaging in political advocacy, leading prevention programs for young people and working with other faith groups to accomplish their goals.

The co-ordinated community approach to eradicating violence has successfully addressed the needs of thousands of Jewish families in North America. Now the Jewish community serves as a model for other religious communities trying to make their faith a resource, not a barrier, to addressing violence. But there is still work to be done.

According to Jewish Women International’s 2011 survey of Jewish domestic violence organizations, 90 per cent of respondents believe their clients face a gap in services, citing a lack of legal services and affordable housing as the two largest areas of unmet need.

Some 76 per cent of respondents also see elder abuse as a growing problem, but few programs are in place to offer services to older Jewish individuals affected by abuse.

Despite great strides, too many

among us still live in fear of violence and do not have access to a full range of services. We must do more to ensure that every Jewish person can lead a healthy, safe and stable life. Domestic and sexual violence are persistent crises.

Every Jewish individual and organization that cares about tikkun olam (repairing the world) must take a stand.

More rabbis must speak from the bimah about this issue and receive training so they can effectively respond to cases of abuse within their congregations. With one in 10 adolescents experiencing physical dating violence, all Jewish youth should be exposed to healthy relationship programming as part of their Jewish education.

Finally, we must all become advocates for this cause by promoting legislation and community action that supports domestic violence programs and services.

Domestic violence is an issue that deserves the dedication, passion and attention of the Jewish community. By working together to address violence against women and families, we will continue to build a foundation for healthier homes and safer communities.

Lori Weinstein is the executive director of Jewish Women International. Lee Sherman is the president and CEO of the Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies.

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Values, Ethics, Community Mira Sucharov This is the sense of community Sam tries to recreate with his weekly breakfasts with his buddies, and on his regular visits to the SJCC. Hearing Sam tell it, now is the time for the Jewish community to think creatively about new possibilities. Perhaps some shuls should consider land sharing. But, most importantly for Sam, the community – backed by a creative-thinking real estate developer or two – should consider adding a retirement residence to the property.

Others have been writing in a similar spirit of co-ordination. Although she works at one of Ottawa’s shuls, Marie Levine’s letter to the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin (Winds of change, December 12, 2011) was written as a private individual. She suggested “one spiritual centre encompassing many shuls.” In a letter in the following issue, David Kardish went further, calling for a “community shul on campus” (Winds of change, January 23).

Looking around our community, it’s a fact that some shuls need to move – whether because they’ve recently sold their site or because they are outgrowing their space – while others have an adequate building but a surplus of land. Still others may wish to contemplate a new location, or a differently sized building. Some denominations are growing while others are not.

Maybe a synaplex model, in which multiple shuls share some common banquet hall facilities, office staff and classrooms, but have separate sanctuaries in a hub-spoke model, is the way to go.

Maybe some more informal outdoor recreational aspects could be added, like the basketball court Stephen Fried wrote about in his book, The New Rabbi. For regular post-kiddush pickup basketball games with other congregants and clergy at Philadelphia’s Temple Har Zion, Fried would keep his gym shorts and runners in his bag. In Ottawa winters, an ice rink might be appealing: think Shacharit & shinny.

Perhaps there are others like Sam who feel their specific needs aren’t being met by the current institutional structures.

In addition to a retirement residence, maybe shuls should explore some affordable housing, perhaps co-ordinated with the Multifaith Housing Initiative. Maybe clergy housing – designed with the needs of a rabbi or cantor and his or her family in mind – could be envisioned.

Maybe some congregations will consider merging.

In Ottawa, Beth Shalom was, in fact, the product of two congregations that merged in 1956, with a third added 15 years later. Mergers are not easy. The pull of institutional memory can be strong, and compromises sometimes end up appearing to privilege one organization over another.

Because of an amalgamation across three synagogues, the Rosh Pina Synagogue in Winnipeg – where my parents met, where I had my bat mitzvah, and where I said a final goodbye to my grandmother – was able to retain its building, but had to take on a new name. Winnipeg clearly saw potential for growth in a kind of Eitz Chayim (literally tree of life), a tree of synergy and possibility. But it surely was with some sense of a fallen limb.

I hope Sam gets his infusion of community. And I hope that as a community we keep getting infusions of creative and caring thinkers like Sam and the many others who are trying to keep the conversation going. Maybe, if Sam’s dream becomes a reality, his weekly Sunday breakfasts will be right after minyan, with a bit of schnapps to chase the eggs and toast.

Mira Sucharov, an associate professor of political science at Carleton University, blogs at Haaretz.com.

Page 22 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

Made with Love

A case for butterscotch If you ask me, chocolate seems to get way too much attention. Don’t get me wrong, I get as cranky as the next guy if I don’t have my square of Lindt Fleur de sel Bittersweet Chocolate every day, but it seems that everywhere you turn, chocolate lovers abound.

I truly think that Milton Snavely Hershey got it wrong when he said, “Caramels are only a fad. Chocolate is a permanent thing.” Now, it’s completely understandable why Milton would utter such words. After all, he was the founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company. He was just protecting his territory.

But really, you just don’t see enough butterscotch these days. It’s a flavour that deserves to see resurgence in its popularity.

But, before we extol the virtues of butterscotch, I think a little primer on the difference between butterscotch, caramel and toffee is in order. While all contain sugar, it is in the type of sugar and the temperature to which the sugar is heated where the differences lie.

The primary ingredient in caramel is white granulated sugar, although brown sugar can be used. Caramel refers to the caramelization process and not the other ingredients

added. It is created by slowly heating sugar, until it eventually takes on colour, starting from light golden all the way to deep amber.

Caramel candy is produced when the sugar is heated to a firm ball (245-250 F) stage. Liquid is then added and the mixture is gently brought back to room temperature. For caramel sauce, water or cream is added to thin the caramel.

You can think of butterscotch as caramel’s less finicky cousin, since the sugar is combined with other ingredients (brown sugar, butter, cream, vanilla and, usually, some lemon juice or vinegar to cut the sweetness) before cooking. Boil this to the soft crack (270-290 F) stage and you have butterscotch. Continue to boil to the hard crack (300310 F) stage and you have toffee.

While toffee is quite wonderful with its toasty, edgy, almost bitter flavour, butterscotch is gentler and mellower.

Now, contrary to popular belief, butterscotch contains no scotch whatsoever. I have several friends who firmly believe that everything is better with scotch. In fact, one dear friend dips his marshmallows into scotch before toasting them, turning them into flaming maltmallows. Depending on how much scotch he has drunk, he sometimes forgets to

Cindy Feingold blow them out before eating.

Most sources I consulted said the term “butterscotch” comes from the old English phrase “to scotch,” meaning to cut or score something. When butterscotch candy was poured out to cool, it was scotched to make it easier to break into pieces later.

Here are a couple of recipes to start you on your journey towards butterscotch love. And, if you add a little scotch to them, I won’t judge!

Butterscotch Brownies (a.k.a. Blondies) This recipe comes from Mark Bittman’s book, How to Cook Everything. The original recipe just calls for brown sugar, not specifying dark or light/golden. Go for the dark brown sugar. It really amps up the butterscotch flavour.

Butterscotch Pudding

2 1/4 cups milk (whole milk, 2% or 1%; not skim) 1 cup heavy cream (35%) 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed 3 egg yolks 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract In a large saucepan, combine the milk and cream and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside.

In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter over mediumhigh heat. Stir in the brown sugar, raise the heat to

medium-high and cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly, to caramelize the mixture. You’ll smell a characteristic nutty-caramel odour when the butter browns, signalling that the mixture is ready.

Whisking constantly, gradually add the butter/brown sugar mixture to the hot milk/cream mixture. If the mixture isn’t smooth, blend for 20 seconds with a hand blender or pour through a fine sieve.

Put the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Whisk in about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture. Whisk in the cornstarch and salt until dissolved.

Whisk the cornstarch mixture back into the hot milk mixture in the saucepan. Whisking constantly, cook over medium-high heat until thick and just boiling. When the mixture thickens, the whisk will leave trail marks on the bottom of the pot and the mixture will have a few large bubbles boiling up to the top.

Turn off the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Pour into 6 to 8 custard cups, ramekins, or mugs and chill, uncovered, at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve chilled.

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Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease an 8x8 inch pan with butter and set aside.

Melt the butter, transfer it to a bowl and, using a mixer, beat in the sugar until the mixture is very smooth.

Beat in the egg, salt and vanilla. Stir in the flour.

Transfer batter to the prepared pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until just barely set. Do not over-bake!

Note: I love them without any additions. They are rich and chewy with a deep butterscotch flavour. But feel free to add any of the following to the batter before baking: 1/2-1 cup chopped nuts (macadamia would be amazing!)

1/2-1 cup chocolate chunks (if you must!)

1/4 cup scotch (you will have to increase the flour by 1 tablespoon) 1/2 cup grated unsweetened coconut • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov •

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March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 23

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Page 24 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

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U.S. President Barack Obama addresses the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., March 4.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., March 5.

(Photo: Robert J. Saferstein)

(Photo: Robert J. Saferstein)

Barack Obama: ‘Still time for diplomacy to work’ (Continued from page 16)

military strike would ensue from a failure to stand down from its suspected nuclear program. “You know, when I visit Walter Reed,� the military hospital in Washington, “when I sign letters to families that have – whose loved ones have not come home – I am reminded that there is a cost,� he said. “Sometimes we bear that cost. But we think it through. We don’t play politics with it. When we have in the past – when we haven’t thought it through and it gets wrapped up in politics, we make mistakes. And typically it’s not the folks who are popping off who pay the price.

It’s these incredible men and women in uniform and their families who pay the price.�

Obama insisted there was still time for diplomacy to work and, in a subtle gibe at Netanyahu, said that Israel’s intelligence establishment agreed. “It is my belief that we have a window of

opportunity where this can still be resolved diplomatically,� he said. “That’s not just my view – that’s the view of our top intelligence officials, it’s the view of top Israeli intelligence officials.�

Both leaders appeared to be caught between wanting to make their case and keep some matters behind closed doors. Netanyahu started his speech to AIPAC’s policy conference by pledging, “I’m not going to talk to you about what Israel will do or not do – I never talk about that.�

A day earlier in his own AIPAC address, Obama criticized what he called “loose talk of war.� “Over the last few weeks, such talk has only benefited the Iranian government by driving up the price of oil, which they depend on to fund their nuclear program,� he said. “For the sake of Israel’s security, America’s security, and the peace and security of the world, now is not the time for bluster.�

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Page 26 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

ABC sweeps Carleton’s student association election; ‘change for the better’ for Jewish students The tides of change have risen and washed over Carleton University’s campus following the Carleton Undergraduate Students’ Association (CUSA) February election.

One slate, A Better Carleton (ABC), swept all six CUSA executive positions – not the outcome people might’ve expected based on past results.

For Jewish students, it’s change for the better.

There are many reasons why students care – or rather, should care (only about 18.5 per cent of eligible students voted this year) – about who’s in charge of their student union.

For instance, executives get paid roughly $30,000 per year. Actually, the organization handles a budget of more than a million dollars, and a portion of the funds comes from students’ fees.

If that wasn’t enough, CUSA runs campus businesses, such as Oliver’s Pub and Rooster’s Coffeehouse, as well as our service centres. They also provide funding and space to our clubs and societies. All in all, they play an integral role in student life, hosting events and lobbying for certain causes.

For Jewish students, as a minority and, therefore, a marginalized group on campus, the character of our leadership becomes all the more important.

That’s why the winning slate’s sweep was also a sweeping victory for the Jewish student community.

This isn’t to say the members of the losing slate, Fresh Carleton, are all horrible people. I know many of them to be upstanding individuals on a personal level. But we’re talking about politics.

A Better Carleton’s campaign focused on the idea of unifying a divided campus.

Spearheaded by president-elect Alexander Golovko, the group stressed this point. Golovko, himself an international student, cited “accessibility and inclusion for students from all backgrounds” as a priority in the ABC platform.

Along the same lines, ABC made it clear it would remain neutral on the issue of divestment, which is very hot

Campus Life Ilana Belfer topic at Carleton. For a couple of years, Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) has been zealously campaigning for Carleton to divest from companies it’s invested in through its pension fund, which SAIA claims support the illegal occupation of Palestine.

So why is this relevant?

SAIA Carleton recently released a video, promoted on YouTube and its website, calling on students to support its divestment movement. Two members of Fresh Carleton, Sarah Cooper (presidential candidate) and Rabita Sharfuddin (candidate for vice-president, student issues) appeared in the video.

Sharfuddin’s involvement with SAIA is more than an unrelated past time. She repeatedly emphasized “fight[ing] for socially responsible investment policies that are binding,” noting “currently we’re invested in war, occupation and other violations of human rights.”

She dedicated a significant amount of time to this issue in her video for the website of the Charlatan, the Carleton newspaper, which was limited to only 65 seconds.

It seemed like a case of tunnel vision, or should I say “SAIA vision.” Friends of mine who are both Jewish and non-Jewish questioned whether she realized the scope of a position that would put her in charge of student issues because there are so many besides this one – issues that actually apply to all students (for example, the U-Pass) rather than maintaining an existent student divide.

And while Sharfuddin claimed to be committed to a

A visit with my son, daughter-in-law, grandson and other grandson While I was visiting my son, daughter-in-law and grandson in New York, I also became more closely acquainted with the family cat, an orange tabby with light green eyes – the colour of early spring, not yet the lush green of summer.

His skills included sitting and staring, and just napping on the couch. He did not react when my grandson wanted to hug him, but otherwise kept his distance, the way a firstborn might.

His name was originally Orange Julius because of his colour, but then the name kept being shortened and transformed to Julius to Julie to Junie, which is what everyone calls him now.

Junie never got the memo explaining he was actually a cat, although a few cat-like behaviours remain to cloud his otherwise serene disposition.

Mostly, he likes to be held and cuddled and kissed and stroked. What a way to make a living! When my son and his wife left, he wandered around the apartment looking in every room and emitting a piteous meow that sounded like a baby crying. It was not loud enough to wake the sleeping toddler, but it was loud enough to unnerve me when I heard it for the first time.

When they returned, he bolted like a bat-outta-hell for the door and offered himself up for cuddles with the kind of crying that just begged for comforting and snuggling.

When he got what he wanted, he just sat there like a Buddha with the same kind of Mona Lisa smile you see on Chinese sculptures, almost as if he knew something the rest of us didn’t.

In the morning, he was ready to follow me everywhere meowing for food. His almost-human cry was uncanny.

He has the same physique as Garfield, so I doubt he is underfed. Yet, if he spots a bug, he is an efficient killer. I’m also told he was a great mouser in my son and daughter-inlaw’s last place, catching mice and dropping them, still alive, as a kind of gift to his mistress at her feet.

So, the cat in him does seem to come out once in a while. He stretches on top of the couch and starts to dig his claws into the fabric. After a few good scratches and stretches, he lies down again.

But, sometimes, heaven help the human who tries to pat him. He shows his teeth and tries to bite and takes a few bats at any approaching hand. Such episodes are rare and he soon forgets them, coming meekly to anybody who offers him a lap.

campus “where all students are respected and feel safe,” a student commented on the website saying he doesn’t feel safe during SAIA’s annual Israel Apartheid Week.

Emile Scheffel, vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students, also commented, expressing a similar sentiment about a Carleton Board of Governors meeting SAIA shut down last year while fighting for its cause.

In my opinion, regardless of whether you’re pro- or antidivestment, CUSA has no place taking a stance on such controversial, complex issues that aren’t directly related to Carleton’s student body.

At a campus debate, some students started chanting “divest now.” Both candidates for vice-president (student issues) were asked if they were going to side with either Israel or Palestine, or if they’d be neutral and unite students.

While Sharfuddin said, regardless of location, we should divest from everything that supports war, her opponent from ABC, Hayley Dobson, had a different response: unite.

In her one-minute video for the Charlatan, Dobson raised her three central points. One of them exemplified a plank in ABC’s campaign, to “increase and promote unity on a currently divided campus.”

ABC proved it was dedicated to all campus groups, without discrimination, and this included our own Jewish community.

ABC’s vice-president (finance) candidate Michael De Luca had increasing the on-campus availability of lowerpriced kosher food items in his platform.

Members of ABC attended numerous Shabbat dinners and an “Israeli wine and Canadian cheese” event, garnering endorsements from both Hillel Ottawa and the Israel Awareness Committee.

Campus, just like the real word, is, indeed, divided – and not only on the issue of Israel-Palestine. We come from different backgrounds, cultures, races, ethnicities, income levels and sexual orientations. It’s CUSA’s responsibility to bring us together, rather than tear us apart. I look forward to seeing ABC achieve this goal next year.

Humour me, please Rubin Friedman When I went to the Central Park Zoo, I saw a snow leopard in his enclosure and he looked at me with the same halfclosed eyes and Mona Lisa smile as Junie. And when the leopard sprang from one rock to another, I saw how similar it was to Junie’s leap from the floor to the counter, a fourfoot vertical jump. Wherever they are, cats have to practise pouncing.

The leopard looked lonely, and his tail was even longer and furrier than Junie’s, but I think it might be too dangerous to have him around the house.

Junie, at least, thinks he is part of the family and has already learned to make room for his little brother, although he is now closer to his daddy as only my human grandson is allowed to nurse. The cat has responded by ignoring his mother.

As I am of the correct gender, I now understand from his behaviour that he has accepted me and that my absence has merited a few human sounding meows. This is my grandson, the cat.

March 19, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 27

Goodman’s look at Israel lacks an overall analytical thread The Anatomy of Israel’s Survival

By Hirsh Goodman Signal 274 pages Reading The Anatomy of Israel’s Survival, veteran Israeli journalist Hirsh Goodman’s reflection on Israel’s political story, is like having a few of beers with the author while he often riffs and sometimes rants – sometimes insightfully, but often sloppily – on his adopted country’s political situation.

Analysis skims the surface, rarely providing enough evidence to support the claims. The text is riddled with such silly errors as a mention of Camp David instead of Oslo and stating that Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer, authors of The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy, are Jewish. They are not.

Amusingly, perhaps, Goodman himself claims in the concluding acknowledgments that the book was written mostly by “osmosis,” having spent several years around strategic analyst colleagues at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University. He adds that he “decided not to include notes and a bibliography,” because in “this day and age of multiple search engines, those who have a desire to get deeper information on any given point can do so in a matter of seconds, just as I did.” I am as frequent an Internet user as anyone, but, in this case, I have to say that his fast and loose approach to data-gathering showed glaringly.

He concludes with passages such as “looking at Israel is a bit like going to an impressionist exhibition,” going on to

explain that a wider view is needed for full understanding. It’s disappointing that this book lacks an overall analytical thread to tie the disparate observations together.

One gets the sense that Goodman is knowledgeable about the various challenges Israel faces and the steps Israel has taken both to address and to magnify those challenges. But there is too much empty metaphor (“What is required to make [a peace agreement] happen is leadership, a cool hand on the wheel of state navigating through rough waters”), too simplistic descriptions of people and positions (William Quandt, National Security Council adviser to former U.S. presidents Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter, as holding “anti-Israel sentiments” because he “was convinced that only through pressure and sanctions could Israel be brought to the negotiating table with the Palestinians”), and too little actual analysis.

Ultimately, it’s not entirely clear whether this is intended as an introduction to the Israeli political situation – “the U.S. is Israel’s guardian angel” – or as a book seeking to advance an analytical argument. In suggesting the latter, the title is, perhaps, misleading.

What is there is not totally shabby, however. As the founder of the Jerusalem Report, and its editor-in-chief for eight years, Goodman, originally from South Africa, but having lived in Israel since he was a young man, knows how to deliver honest Israeli political analysis to a Diaspora audience. He was later vice-president of the Jerusalem Post, before joining the Institute for National Security Stud-

Book Review Mira Sucharov ies as a senior research associate. He carries the reader through the regional context, opening with a chapter on Iran, the history of Israeli war and peacemaking, Israel’s standing in the world – one jarring anecdote describes a Chinese government official having presented a leatherbound copy of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the famous anti-Semitic screed, to a departing Israeli diplomat – and contemporary economic and social issues.

One particularly informative chapter is on the changing face of Israeli society through a focus on the ultra-Orthodox, with the important comparison of haredi communities in America, one is reminded that it is the Israeli government’s fault of indulgence, more than the fault of the haredim themselves, that so many do not work, and on the ArabIsraeli minority – Goodman suggests more focused national service for that community.

One cannot accuse Goodman of being either partisan or overly ideological. The targets of his criticisms are wideranging. He advances the conventional Israeli narrative that Camp David’s failure was that Arafat “wanted it all,” but concludes the book advocating a withdrawal from the settlements. Critics of his approach may decry his advocating of ending the occupation at the same time that he writes phrases like “I defy any army to … have to impose an occupation and come out humane.” (A critical reader might wonder about his use of “have to.”)

While there are better books about Israel, readers looking for a fast-paced, candid glimpse by a seasoned Israeli journalist at what has come before and what may lie ahead might not be entirely disappointed. Just don’t expect an entirely fresh and cutting-edge interpretation of the tired and bloody conflict.

You don’t have to be an athlete to inspire others I’m often amazed by people I see exercising. Maybe you are one of them. You don’t have to be the strongest, the fastest or the most fit, to inspire others.

Exercise isn’t easy for everyone. It may be physically challenging for some people just to bend down to tie their sneakers. Chronic conditions, disabilities, fatigue and stress are just a few of the things that can reduce one’s motivation to exercise.

And, yet, I see people every day who refuse to allow life’s challenges to stand in their way. These are the folks who demonstrate a can-do attitude. It’s their spirit that inspires me.

Since taking up running a few years ago, I’ve crossed paths with many inspiring runners. People of all ages, shapes and sizes show what they’re made of when they run a race. Last month, while running the annual Winterman 10k, I was inspired by some senior citizens who ran and speed-walked. To them, age is just a number. I was also inspired by the overweight runners. Excess weight can make running and breathing more difficult. Yet, some of them had better race times than me. I cheered for the slower ones as they approached the finish line. All of participants gave their best effort, and, in doing so, they gave the gift of inspiration to others.

I’ve seen Canadian heroes race, sometimes on an artificial leg, or in a wheelchair, in the Canada Army Run Half Marathon. Once, during the Ottawa Race Weekend, I heard someone shout, “Blind runner passing.” Sure enough, a visually impaired runner and her coach whizzed past me.

Focus on Fitness Gloria Schwartz Nothing stops those with determination. They persist and persevere.

A few years ago, my husband Allan and I took a helihiking tour in the Rocky Mountains. We were flown in a helicopter above the tree line where we hiked the rugged terrain. At first, I was concerned that a senior woman in our group might struggle. Not only did she keep up, she was often in the lead, scrambling up the steep slopes alongside our young guide. I was inspired by her zest for life and positive attitude. She gave me a glimpse of what I hope I will be like at that age – fit, active and enthusiastic.

All of these chance encounters are a blessing. Sometimes, we get to know the person and their story. Other times, not. Yet, the impact one person can have on another is tremendous.

My father inspires me. He was doing 10 push-ups each morning well into his mid-80s. While he’s slowed down a lot since breaking a hip a few years ago, he remains optimistic, completely independent and as active as possible.

We often go through life not realizing that we inspire others. I think it’s important to acknowledge the people who make a difference in our lives. Every now and then, when I’m working out at the gym, I’m approached by members who tell me that I inspire them with my chin-ups or plyometric exercises. I guess it’s because they don’t often see a woman of my age doing such demanding exercises.

All you have to do to get inspired is look around. I find it just as inspiring to see an adult who musters the courage to try a new sport as watching an Olympic athlete cross the finish line in record time. We may not have gold medals, but we’ve all pushed ourselves out of our comfort zone and beyond our self-imposed limits at some point in our lives.

I want to thank each of you who, in your own special way, inspire me to try harder. Through your actions, you remind me of what the hamster in the Disney movie Bolt said when everyone laughed at his dream of becoming a superhero: “The impossible is possible when you’re awesome!”

Next time I see you at the gym or out running, I’ll let you know that you’re awesome and that you inspire me. Or, maybe, I’ll just smile and give you a thumbs-up as we pass each other. Sometimes that little bit of recognition is all we need to feel like a champion.

Has someone inspired you to get fit? Tell me your story in 200 words or less. I may include it in a future column.

Let’s help inspire each other!

Send your questions and comments to gloria.schwartz@rogers.com.

Page 28 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 19, 2012

WHAT’S GOING ON March 19 to April 1, 2012 WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAYS Motorin Munchkins for children 5 and under, sponsored by the Family Life Centre. Children must be accompanied by an adult, 9:00 am to noon. Info: 613798-9818, ext.294.

CANDLELIGHTING BEFORE Mar 23 Mar 30

✡ ✡

6:59 pm 7:08 pm

FIRST SEDER Apr 6 ✡ 7:17 pm SECOND SEDER ✡ AFTER Apr 7 8:20 pm

TUESDAYS Mommy and Me Playgroup for babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age, Rambam Day School, 31 Nadolny Sachs Private, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Info: 613-806-7700.

Israeli Folk Dancing, no partner necessary, Ottawa Jewish Community School, 31 Nadolny Sachs Private, 7:00 pm. Info: judy@ottawaisraelidance.ca.

WEDNESDAYS Playgroup for babies and toddlers, sponsored by the Family Life Centre. Children must be accompanied by an adult, 9:00 to 11:30 am. Info: 613-798-9818, ext 294.

FRIDAYS Shabbat Shalom for children 5 and under, sponsored by the Family Life Centre. Children must be accompanied by an adult, 9:30 to 11:00 am. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 294.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20 Malca Pass Book Discussion Group will review “The Lacuna” by Barbara Kingsolver, with Alvina Ruprecht, Agudath Israel Synagogue, 1400 Coldrey Avenue, 7:30 pm. Info: 613-8292455.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 Srugim – Season 3: Israel’s favourite TV series is back at the SJCC. Watch episodes 1 & 2 with special guest Srugim’s Amir – Amos Tamam, 7:00 pm. Info: 613798-9818, ext. 243.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22 Iraq N’ Roll film screening about family, culture and identity.

Filmmaker Gili Gaon follows Israeli rock musician Dudu Tassa who tries to re-connect with the musical legacy of his grandfather, Daud al-Kuwaity, who was a Jewish musician with his brother in Iraq in the 1930s. Presented in partnership between the SJCC,

For more community listings, visit jewishottawa.com Select “Click to see more months”

Free Thinking Film Society, and the Vered Israel Cultural and Educational Program, 7:00 pm. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 243.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25 Books n’ Bagels with Sophie Kohn Kaminsky who will review “Free World” by David Bezmozgis,Temple Israel, 1301 Prince of Wales Drive, 9:30 am.

Info: shaylamindell@rogers.com.

A Touch of Klez and Musaica Ebraica perform a benefit concert in support of the Kosher Food Bank, Machzikei Hadas Congregation, 2310 Virginia Drive, 7:00 pm. Info: 613-2341649.

Women’s Seder, sponsored by Jewish Family Services, with the goal to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence within

the Jewish community. Agudath Israel Congregation, 1400 Coldrey Avenue, 5:00 pm. Info: 613722-2225, ext. 406.

COMING SOON SUNDAY, MARCH 25 Pre-Passover Wine Tasting, sponsored by Ottawa Torah Centre. Presentation and guided tasting, with a professional sommelier, from a selection of kosher wines, 111 Lamplighters Drive, 7:00 pm.

Info: 613-843-7770.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 Yom HaShoah Community Commemoration with keynote speaker Leslie Meisels, a Hungarian-born Jew, who, along with his entire immediate family, miraculously survived the Holocaust, 7:00 pm.

Info: 613-798-4696, ext. 253.

TUESDAY, MARCH 27 Guys’ Night Out, presented

by Jewish Federation of Ottawa, Velvet Room, 62 York Street, 7:00 pm. Info: 613-798-4696, ext.241.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24 Yom Hazikaron ceremony to honour Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. The evening will include a screening of “A Hero in Heaven,” depicting the story of Philadelphia-born Michael Levin who moved to Israel, joined the army, and was killed in 2006.

Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 243.

SUNDAY, APRIL 1 7th Annual Shalom Bayit

Unless otherwise noted, activities take place at The Joseph and Rose Ages Family Building, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private.

This information is taken from the community calendar maintained by the Jewish Ottawa InfoCentre. Organizations which would like their events to be listed, no matter where they are to be held, should send the information to InfoCentre coordinator Benita Siemiatycki via e-mail at bsiemiatycki@jewishottawa.com or fax at 613-798-4695. She can also be reached by telephone at 613-798-4644. Accurate details must be provided and all events must be open to the Jewish public.

Condolences Condolences are extended to the families of: Peter MacNeil Avrum “Avie” Rapoport Irving Taylor

May their memory be a blessing always.

The CONDOLENCE COLUMN is offered as a public service to the community.

There is no charge.

For a listing in this column, please call 613-798-4696, ext. 274.

Voice mail is available.

BULLETIN DEADLINES APRIL 4 FOR APRIL 23 APRIL 18 FOR MAY 7 MAY 2 FOR MAY 21

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